Marked Claimed By My Step brothers

Chapter 1

Anise

My smile broadened as I lowered my eyes at the cake in my hand. Excitement reeled up inside me.

Then I heard the doorbell ring and hastily, my feet scurried gently to the door, which I opened with one hand and stood poised to welcome him.

"Happy Anni..."

I couldn't complete my words when grief suddenly struck my heart. Here I was, standing opposite me with another woman.

I swallowed hard, staring at them both with shock. He had told me he was going for a business trip only to return with her, his childhood lover.

He coldly gazed at me, gesturing to me to move while he came in but I was frozen.

"Dante?" I managed to utter as the cake in my hand felt heavy.

"She's welcoming us love, how sweet" her voice echoes with menace seething through every word she speaks.

"Anise, this is Shirley, and she'd be living with us..."

While he made the sudden cruel introduction, his words blurred out the more I tried to listen because I was astonished.

It's our anniversary and this is what I get after 3 years of being a dedicated and good housewife.

"What? "Dante, you made a promise" I managed to squeeze out, staring into his glassy eyes.

"To a man who is dead!" He growled and then shoved me aside to walk inside with her.

I staggered, and the cake fell from my hand, landing on my feet.

"Argh, I feel so dizzy," Shirley says, placing her hand on her stomach and exhaling softly.

I watched as he placed his palms on her cheeks, worried and questioning her if she needed anything.

He walked her to the dining room to sit while I struggled to clean off the stain from the cake.

"Anise, get her water" he ordered in his alpha command, and I went silent, unable to speak back.

I scurry towards the fridge to get a bottle of water while saddened at heart.

Once I got to them, I placed it on the sleek table and held Dante's hand gently.

"Can we talk?" I asked in a sober tone, trying not to burst into tears as I couldn't bear the fact that he treated her like the only thing that mattered.

I have never gotten such treatment from him.

He shrugged my hand away and returned a glare at me.

"Are you dumb? "Can't you see she's in pain, and you're worsening it!" He roared and I shuddered.

I could tell he was drifting away gradually and with her, I didn't stand a chance.

"I think she hates me, I'm scared Dante, what if she plans on killing me?" Shirley's taunting voice chips in.

I swallowed hard, shaking my head as she was leaning on Dante's arm now and gazing at me with teary eyes.

Dante gnashed his teeth, his jaw thick as he narrowed his brows at me.

"You're just a gold digger anise and, now that I have found my soulmate, do you want to get rid of her?" He quickly jumped into conclusion, judging like he didn't know who I was.

To worsen it, I couldn't say a word to defend myself and that's devastating.

"I won't, we just met, and your happiness means a lot to me," I confessed with tears in my eyes as I felt shameless.

Shirley's lips curved in a smile as she growled softly and then rubbed her stomach again.

She stepped forward, closing the space between us. Shirley shoved her left finger at my face and I spotted a diamond ring on her index finger.

"Then address me as Mrs Dante"

I shifted my gaze to Dante, whose glare burnt the side of his face. His eyes were obvious that he supported her decision.

"You're married?" I asked, more shock than ever. It was just a week away.

"I owe you no explanation, you either serve us or leave" he gruesomely declared, and my face grew pale.

I folded my fists. This was the worst humiliation ever and his words drove a knife into my heart.

I almost said a word when the door chimed open, and I heard my mother-in-law rushing in.

She hurried towards where we stood in a heated gaze and embraced Shirley.

"You look more beautiful in person!" She praised her elbow, pushing me aside and I ducked my head.

"It's an honor to meet you ma'am", Shirley responded in a low tone, as Mrs Miranda stroked her back gently.

She took a glimpse at me, now she noticed me and said:

"Anise, prepare the best meal for my daughter-in-law, make sure she's comfortable too. Her baby needs to be treated with luxury."

Immediately she said that, she held Shirley gently and guided her to the sitting room.

She's pregnant.

My mother-in-law's negligence towards me was something I should get used to, but it hurts seeing how they treat Shirley so especially.

I was speechless. My eyes were still on Dante, but he only turned to his heels to meet Shirley. He was clingy to her as though she was so fragile that she might break.

"Careful mom, she needs rest" he teased, and Shirley chuckled while kissing him mildly on the lips.

He excused himself and left for his room and I intended to meet him alone, but my mother-in-law's gawping eyes and silent instruction made me still.

I lowered my head and moved to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Just as much as I hate what I'm doing. My hands were tied.

It was meant to be our anniversary, but now, someone has come into the picture and I might never stand a chance again.

Their chuckles, their words and comparisons between us both couldn't let me concentrate.

Once I was done, I served them, intending to go upstairs and meet Dante, but Shirley's whimper drew me back.

"I don't like what she prepared, I'm allergic to fish and..." She covered her mouth, quickly stood up and ran towards the guest toilet at a corner of the sitting room to throw up.

My mother-in-law glared at me as she stood up and landed a slap on my face.